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Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday - Books with Characters Who Do Go Home Again

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic from The Broke and the Bookish is Books That Feature Characters Who x. I'm focusing on characters who are coming home because that's one of my very favorite plots though normally at the beginning the character is not in a good place having lost their job, had a nasty breakup/divorce, or frequently both. But they usually also end up finding out what actually makes them happy and finding their place in the world which is some of my favorite feel good reading. Here's a few of my favorites.

1. The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan - This was a recent read for me but I absolutely loved it. Flora escaped her tiny little Scottish island just as soon as she could and fled to the far more glamorous London. When we meet Flora at the beginning of the book she's a little immature and desperate to stand out though all she seems to do is fade into the background. When work sends her back to her home she resists with everything she has. The last half especially is pure comfort reading!

2. Better Get to Livin' by Sally Kilpatrick - This was one of those accidental NetGalley grabs where I didn't really know what I was getting but ended up absolutely loving it. Presley Cline has come home to small town Tennessee after her Hollywood dreams crash and burn with the help of some compromising photos. There's ghosts, a little bit of romance, and a whole lot of humor!

3. The Liar by Nora Roberts - I had found a few of the previous books from Roberts a little on the meh side until I picked this one up by chance at the library and remembered why I enjoyed her books so much. Shelby Foxworth is a new widow and recovering from a terrifyingly abusive marriage as well as crippling financial debt. She takes her 3 year old daughter back to Tennessee and reconnects with family and herself. It's fairly predictable but completely enjoyable.

4. Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron - Maggie Crozat has returned from New York to her family's plantation B&B in Louisiana and lands in murder right from the start. There's a quirky family, a little bit of romance, some interesting romance and all kinds of murder.

5. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen - So I'm late to the Sarah Addison Allen fan club but I'm definitely a full fledged member. This book was wonderful and I loved seeing Sydney's journey home as well as Claire learning to accept that she's back.

6. A Holiday for Murder by Agatha Christie - There's a few people returning home for Christmas this year - there's a prodigal son, an old friend (or is he), and the granddaughter who is returning to a home she's never visited. There's lots of Christmas cheer as well as Christie's most violent murder - dedicated to her brother-in-law who wanted something bloody.

7. Twisted Threads by Lea Wait - Angie Curtis left small town Maine as soon as she could - running from her mother's notoriety as well as the mystery of what happened to her. Now her grandmother needs her and Angie comes home though it's not quite what she expected it to be.

8. Daring to Dream by Nora Roberts - This is an old one from Nora Roberts but I love it. Margo's glamorous model life goes up in smoke after her money runs out and some compromising photos kills her career. She comes home to her friends, her mother she's never thought understood her, and the man she never quite got off her mind. Just thinking about this one makes me want to do a reread!

9. Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander - Jules Capshaw comes home to work in the family bakery - Torte - after life as a cruise ship pastry chef loses its sparkle. There's a whole lot of murder in this pretty theater town in Oregon but Torte has become one of my favorite fictional places. If you enjoy foodie cozies this is one not to miss.

10. The Beach at Painter's Cove by Shelley Noble - I'd wanted to read Shelley Noble for years because her covers are always so pretty so I jumped at the chance to read this one and loved it. After her grandmother has a bad fall Izzy goes home to the place she always loved but felt pushed out of. There's family secrets, some misunderstandings and so much rebuilding.

What are your favorite books that feature characters who do go home again?

I like this theme, too. I haven't read any of these books except for Daring to Dream. I've been thinking about re-reading this series, too. I really loved the third book. But Margo's book was great, too.

I have Garden Spells sitting on my bookshelf-- I need to get around to reading it! I've heard good things about it. Have you ever read Eight Hundred Grapes? Your interpretation of the prompt made me think about that novel-- as it begins with the main character coming home after something bad happens. My TTT

I love these kinds of stories, too, and I read a ton of them. I haven't read any of the ones you listed, though. I did just read Jenny Colgan's THE BOOKSHOP ON THE CORNER and really enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to check out more of hers. I need to read GARDEN SPELLS as well. I've heard nothing but good things about it1